We just started carrying both of these products, and they are the perfect compliment to each other. Sure, the ideal is a pair of lovingly hand-knit socks to wear under your newly-acquired Peek-a-Boots (much like Lesley, our winner, is sporting). But, in a pinch, Sock it to Me Socks are the next-best things.

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Why 45° North? Well, because that’s Oregon’s latitude (relatively)! The yarn is inspired by this fantastic state we live in, Oregon. We have 25 colors to start, and have plans to expand the line already. Hanging on our sock yarn wall, it’s really the most beautiful sight. What a collaborative effort! We worked with Melanie to come up with the perfect colors (you should have seen the fantastic bag of mini skeins she provided for us to choose from – oooh, lala, that girl has an EYE for color!), Vivian and Emily named all of the colors and Vivian designed the gorgeous logo. The whole crew brainstormed a name for the yarn, and everyone has been consulting on the tag design and display. Marcia shot the stunning photos, and now we are pleased to share the fruits of our labor with you, our customers.

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We’ve got an active Facebook page (hop over and “like” the RCYC!) There will be tweets galore in coming days, so follow the Rose City Yarn Crawl on Twitter – @rosecitycrawl (and use the hashtag #rcyc like crazy). Head over to Ravelry and join in the discussion. And most of all, Save the Date, Mark Your Calendars, and make sure your coast is clear for March 1-4, 2012, because, seriously, you do not want to miss this crawl!

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The honeycomb cables in these mittens were initially inspired by the warm tones of the Wheat Heather colorway of Imperial Stock Ranch’s wonderfully soft yet rustic Columbia yarn. From there, well, all the pieces fell quickly into place…

The title, Apis Mellifera, is the scientific term for the Western Honeybee. It is also the root of the name ‘Melissa’, which means ‘honeybee’, and happens to be my mom’s name!

So, these mittens are a tribute to one of my favorite yarns (which inspired the cables), my favorite month of the year (October, when I was born and when I’m publishing this pattern), and the woman who brought me into this world and taught me to love and respect our honeybees. Enjoy!

Yarn: 180 – 200 yards worsted-weight yarn. Sample shown in Imperial Stock Ranch Columbia (100% Columbia Wool; 220yd per 4oz hank), colorway Wheat Heather.
Gauge: 18 sts = 4″/10 cm in stockinette stitch.
Needles: Two size US 8/5mm 24″ circular needles (or size needed to obtain gauge), or needles for your preferred method of knitting in the round.
Notions: Cable needle (optional), waste yarn, darning needle.
Skill level: Advanced beginner.
Size/Finished measurements: Width: one size fits most, apprx 3.5″ across palm. Length: Knit to fit with shorter and longer (plus 1/2 inch) fingertip options.

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We’ve had great new teachers and classes added to our repertoire, including the super-popular Tunisian Crochet (we’ve got one coming up on January 7th, from 12-3pm, and there are still a few slots left). Tunisian Crochet may just be the next big thing, folks.

Amazing new products, like the phenomenonal Madelinetosh, in an ever-expanding line (we now carry Tosh Merino, Tosh Vintage, Tosh DK, Tosh Merino Light, Tosh Prairie and Tosh Sock. We are quite sure we’ll be adding more and more of this yarn in the coming year.

We met the super-lovely Sarah from Plucky Knitter at the fantastically fun Sock Summit, and started working with her, carrying her knock-you-on-your-booty Primo Fingering and Worsted. This yarn is pretty flipping fantastic – a great ply, a soft yet firm hand, and such a wonderful softness…

We’ve got new things from old favorites, like the awesome, gorgeous and useful knitting mugs from our friends Jampdx. Meghan and Jenn gifted Emily and I each with one, and, even though we have a million and two coffee mugs at home, I find myself washing my hand-thrown Jampdx mug pretty much every day, just so I can enjoy my morning coffee in this fabulous piece of art.

And, as a reminder, we are open regular hours today (9am-8pm), so if you need any of these items, or anything else for that matter, come on by! We have hot tea, comfy couches, friendly staff, and the best darned yarn in the universe!

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This pattern was originally released in September as part of Twisted’s Shawlette Club.

You’ll feel wise indeed draped in Sesheta, a triangular shawl with an open mesh lace pattern. Named for the Egyptian goddess of knowledge, writing and mathematics, Sesheta displays strong geometric symbols, with triangle and pinwheel designs down the spine and around the hem. Knit from side to side, this lacy shawl only takes one skein of yarn to complete, allowing you to make intelligent use of your stash!

About the Designer – Working under the label Stick Chick Knits, Mel spends her days in Seattle dreaming up new designs and playing with yarn. Her projects expand to fill the space available. Luckily, this doesn’t seem to bother her loving husband and sons.

Yarn: 400 yards fingering or sport-weight yarn. Sample shown in one skein of Hazel Knits Artisan Sock (90% superwash merino wool, 10% nylon; 400yds per 120gr skein), colorway Portobello.
Gauge: 26 sts = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch.
Needles: US #4 (3.5 mm) straight or 24” circular needle – or size to get gauge. Piece is worked back and forth.
Notions: Stitch markers.
Skill level: Intermediate.
Size/Finished measurements: One size fits most. 45″ (114 cm) wide from tip to tip. 19″ (48 cm) deep at center back. Measured after blocking.

Get a hard copy of the pattern on our webstore!

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If you’d like to coordinate your own effort and donate a blanket within your community, please send Leigh photos of your work in progress and completed blankets as she’ll be posting photos of everyone’s efforts as this project progresses.

How to contribute: Download free pdf of pattern and knit one panel. This is a great project for using up yarn from your stash – follow the color chart provided or create a color palette of your own.
Download pattern: On Leigh’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/leighradfordauthor). Access pattern by clicking “Albers Stash Blanket” on the menu bar to your left.
You can drop off your completed panels at Twisted, or message Leigh (onemoreskein@leighradford.com).
Due date: Panels need to arrive in Portland/OR by January 31, 2012.
Questions? OneMoreSkein@leighradford.com

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Here’s the 2012 line up (subject to change):

March 2012: (Blue Moon Fiber Arts & Debbi Stone)
May 2012: (The Plucky Knitter & Shannon Squire)
July 2012: (Black Trillium & Kristin Spurkland)
September 2012: (Big Alice Dyes & Larissa Brown)
November 2012: (Hazel Knits & Star Athena)
January 2013: (Little Red Bicycle & Carrie Sullivan)

The 2012 Shawlette Club will be $230 for an entire year ($260 shipped US/Canada, $290 international).

If you want to join the fun, please sign up online, or email us, or call us at 503-922-1150.

Already in the club for 2012? Check out our members only page for special extras and out takes…

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Month-yarn-designer combos are subject to shuffle around a bit, due to availability and what-not, but here’s an idea of what you’ll be getting:

February 2012: Shawlette in Tosh Merino Light by Shannon Squire
April 2012: Mittens in Vintage by Star Athena
June 2012: Cowl in Prairie by Kat Buckspan
August 2012: Hat in Tosh Merino – designer TBD
October 2012: Fingerless Mitts in Tosh DK by Emily Williams
December 2012: Socks in Tosh Sock – designer TBD

The 2012 Mad About Tosh Club will be $150 for an entire year ($180 shipped US/Canada, $210 international).

If you want to join the fun, please sign up online, or email us, or call us at 503-922-1150.

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